Sensor Array Exposure Control for High Dynamic Range Spectral Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for characterizing the appearance of objects fail to effectively handle high dynamic range spectrally, spatially, and angularly resolved radiation data, leading to inefficient product development and poor image quality due to noise, distortion, and error propagation in imaging systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a spectrally well-defined electromagnetic radiator and receptor with individually adjustable exposure times for each sensor element, characterizing the dark current and sensor response to compensate for non-linearity and saturation, and employing error propagation characterization to generate high dynamic range, spatially and angularly resolved radiance data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If common image sensing systems are used to characterize high dynamic range radiation data, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to noise and distortion at extreme intensity levels
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is divided into multiple sensor elements, each independently controllable with its own exposure time. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for different intensity ranges, maintaining measurement precision across the full dynamic range while using a relatively simple sensor device.
Solution Approach 2:
The exposure time for each sensor element is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt exposure parameters to the specific intensity range of each measurement location, preserving measurement precision without requiring complex specialized hardware.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed exposure time is used for all sensor elements, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to saturation at high intensities and noise at low intensities
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic exposure time adjustment for each sensor element based on the local intensity characteristics. This maintains ease of operation through automated control while achieving high measurement precision by preventing saturation and minimizing noise through optimized exposure parameters for each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the measured intensity values to adjust exposure times for different sensor elements. This feedback mechanism maintains operational simplicity by automating the adjustment process while significantly improving measurement precision across the full dynamic range.
3Loss of information
If spectral resolution is added to angularly resolved measurements, then the information completeness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The spectral information is obtained by dividing the measurement process into multiple spectral channels or wavelength ranges. This segmentation allows spectral resolution to be achieved through software processing and selective filtering rather than complex multi-layer optical systems, maintaining information completeness while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: angular resolution, spectral resolution, and high dynamic range measurement. By making the sensor array multi-functional with programmable control, the system achieves spectral information completeness without requiring separate specialized devices, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
4Measurement precision
If high dynamic range measurement is implemented with individual exposure control, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex exposure management
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated exposure time determination. The control unit automatically calculates and sets the appropriate exposure time for each sensor element based on the measured intensity distribution, eliminating the need for manual exposure management while maintaining high measurement precision across the full dynamic range.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate characterization of high dynamic range radiation data, reducing noise and distortion, and improving the efficiency of product development by providing detailed spectral, spatial, and angular information, enhancing image quality and applicability in industries like paper and security documents.
Implementation Method 1
a spectrally well-defined electromagnetic radiator (11) and a spatially resolved sensor system (12) consisting of a number of individual sensor elements (14)
Implementation Method 2
a spatially resolved sensor system (12) consisting of a number of individual sensor elements (14) for detecting electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of obtaining high dynamic range, spectrally, spatially and angularly resolved radiance of a sample surface of a sample by an electromagnetic irradiator irradiating electromagnetic radiation of controlled spectral distribution onto the sample surface and, using an electromagnetic sensitive sensor to register the reflected spectral distribution. The spectral distribution of the intensity of the electromagnetic field is modeled to have been reflected by a plurality of spatially well defined part-surfaces of the sample surface. The electromagnetic sensitive sensor being well-defined in terms of the functional dependency between input radiation and output signal and the registering exposure time-period being selected individually for each individual sensor element, such as to compile an information volume that represents the registered high dynamic range spectrally resolved electromagnetic radiance as a function of the position of the part-surfaces within the sample surface and of the respective angle enforced on the sample while measuring.